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Home My WebLink About01-07-09 PRC Minutes1-1 Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Jill Lemieux called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Gary Havas, David Hensinger, Kylie Hatch, Ron Regier and Craig Kincaid ABSENT: STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Todd Beights, Rich Ogden, Marti Reynolds CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: MOTION: (Havas/Hatch) Approve the December 3, 2008 minutes as corrected. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 0 absent 1. Public Comment None. 2. Volunteer of the Month The Volunteer of the Month for December is Eliad Becker. Eliad is a sophomore at San Luis Obispo High School. He has completed a total of 50 hours of volunteer service with the Parks and Recreation Department. Eliad participated in Quest; the teen leadership program presented by the San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department’s Teen Programs. Among other services he volunteered for Teen Idol, Halloween Hoopla, Junior Giants and the San Luis Obispo Triathlon. Eliad participates in Track and Field at San Luis Obispo High School. In his spare time he is an avid USC Trojan supporter. Eliad also enjoys memorizing sports statistics and tries to challenge people to “stump” him. The San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department is proud to nominate Eliad Becker as the Volunteer of the Month for December. 3. Santa Rosa Skate Park Master Plan - Kiser Director Kiser gave a brief introduction explaining the development of the skate park as a major city goal and the needs assessment and Master Plan development process. The City contracted with RRM Design Group (RRM) for both the Skate Park Needs Study in November 2007 and the Santa Rosa Skate Park Master Plan in July of 2008. Mr. Mike Sherrod of RRM presented the design process and achievements of the two workshops which resulted in the development of the Santa Rosa Skate Park Master Plan. Three primary goals of the design were in-ground concrete, spectator seating and a flexible plaza for events. Another Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes January 7, 2009 Page 2 of 4 1-2 goal added by Council was that it be a premiere Class A facility. The workshops allowed stakeholders to create models in which common elements were discovered and incorporated while accommodating function, access, terrain and the feeling of the local community. There are no ADA ramps as the grade universally acceptable at less than 5%. Designed to flow in two directions and to easily transition into other levels. Main components are a Street Section, Big Snake Run, Mini Snake Run, Rock Pool and Capsule Pool which incorporates the SLO Mission Bell symbol as an architectural design. The overall cost of 1.4 million slightly exceeds the needs assessment cost estimate but includes materials, labor and cost escalations if structure is built incrementally. Mr. Sherrod broke down components that could be removed to reduce costs as follows: Public Art area $58K, Stage area $12K, Entrance detail $70K, Perimeter Walk and Raise Seating $55K. Commissioners, Mr. Sherrod and Director Kiser discussed potential phasing strategy, funding available and fund raising efforts ($1300 raised to date), anticipated community support, maintenance concerns, nearest venues similar in quality and design available to the public (Solvang, LA), moving forward with terrain elements first, the facility use fee system, hours of operation and the potential to not need staffing if facility was posted and designed correctly to reduce liability exposure. Director Kiser encouraged stakeholders to attend the Community Forum next Thursday, January 15 at 6:30 pm at the Ludwick Center. This will be followed by the Council Goal Setting Workshop on Saturday, January 31 from 8:30 to 4:00 at the City/County Library. Audience member Tim Oates noted information on this project can be found at www.sloskatepark.com. MOTION: (Kincaid/Regier) Forward Santa Rosa Skate Park Master Plan to City Council with recommendation to consider funding in the 2009-11 Financial Plan for the development of plans and specifications and construction of the facility. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 0 absent 4. Staff Report - Beights Parks and Urban Forest Supervisor Beights gave an overview to the Commissioners of the multiple aspects of his position and numerous integrations of duties of the Parks Maintenance division with other divisions in the City, and especially the Parks and Recreation Department. Asked for what Commissioners would like to hear more details on in future presentations. Commissioners expressed interest in the irrigation systems, maintenance of Laguna Lake, water management and potential rainwater harvesting (re: skate park comment) and other City events Parks plays a role in that are unrelated to the Parks and Recreation Department. Supervisor Beights invited the Commissioners to contact him via email or through the Parks and Recreation Department as they think of more topics they would like presented in the future. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes January 7, 2009 Page 3 of 4 1-3 5. Staff Report – Ogden Recreational Sports Supervisor Rich Ogden gave a presentation on the many facets of Youth and Adult sports under his division as well as the SLO Triathlon. He then showed a video on the PAYS Program (Parents Association for Youth Sports) which is part of a one-time mandatory training given parents during registration for youth programs for the last eight years. The National Alliance for Youth Sports video stresses parents’ responsibility to instill a positive environment, giving examples of negative behavior to avoid. PAYS promotes the fundamentals of sports and encourages building friendships, the thrill of sports participation, and fun. 6. Director’s Report– Kiser Director Kiser briefed the Commission on the following projects: • The Mitchell Park Senior Center Renovation contractor walked off the job prior to the holidays; anticipate kitchen renovations won’t be complete until late January or later. Council approved the parking lot design and awarded the contract at last night’s meeting. The historical windows have been completed and are beautiful. • Laguna Lake Golf Course is finishing up the irrigation control system and renovating Hole #6 and the putting green. • Jack House foundation project complete; sprinkler system installation delayed until fall due to insufficient funding; will go forward with the sprinkler system in the fall in combination with the restroom replacement. • The Community Forum is scheduled for Thursday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ludwick Center, followed by the Council Goal Setting Workshop on Saturday, January 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the City/County Library • Roller Hockey Rink Renovation had no progress due to the holidays. • The Public Art RFQ for the Marsh/Higuera Fountain project resulted in 150+ responses; trying now to manage the sheer volume of applications. • Community Garden report being presented to Council on January 20 along with Skate Park Master Plan – 4:00 p.m. Chair Lemieux asked that it be noted there is a system in place for review by the Parks and Recreation Commission before reporting to Council and it is preferred this procedure remain in place for future requests. The Commissioners look forward to future PRC meeting attendance by the Council liaison. • Reminder: Commissioner’s Training, February 21 Hearst Castle. Fliers forthcoming. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes January 7, 2009 Page 4 of 4 1-4 • Reminder on online Ethics Training Certification course. 7. Committee Reports Commissioners provided the following reports: Tree Committee – Kincaid Joint Use Committee – Lemieux Mayors Youth Task Force – Regier Jack House Committee – Hatch Open Space – Havas Golf – Hensinger Commissioner Kincaid gave a brief report for the Tree Committee; may be a few appeals next week. Commissioner Regier reminded the Mayor’s Youth Task Force meetings are suspended due to the lack of a budget. Commissioner Havas reported on Open Space having recently met with Natural Resources Manager Neil Havlik. The City now has complete title to Bowden Ranch Open Space. The conservation plan for Stenner Springs to be ready for review by May. With several critical open space opportunities available, funding for open space acquisition is critical. With Commission support, Commissioner Havas offered to speak in support of Open Space on behalf of the Commissions at the Public Forum on January 15. Commissioners adamantly supported. Chair Lemieux will attend the next Joint Use Committee meeting January 20 – there was no meeting since December 2. Commissioner Hatch reported there was no December Jack House Committee meeting. Commissioner Hensinger had nothing more to report on the Golf Course than the Director’s Report. 8. Communications None. 9. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. to the February 4, 2009 meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission at the Council Chambers. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on February 4, 2009. ________/Sgd/_________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds Supervising Administrative Assistant